Few romantic comedies have achieved the timeless charm of When Harry Met Sally…. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, this film redefined the rom-com genre by asking a deceptively simple question: Can men and women ever just be friends?
Detailed Summary
The First Meeting – Chicago to New York
In 1977, Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) share a car ride from the University of Chicago to New York City. Their personalities instantly clash: Harry is cynical, blunt, and believes men and women can’t be friends because “the sex part always gets in the way.” Sally, on the other hand, is optimistic, organized, and slightly neurotic. The road trip ends with the two parting ways, both unimpressed with each other.
Five Years Later – The Airport Encounter
Years later, they meet again at an airport. Sally is dating one of Harry’s friends, while Harry is engaged. Their conversation revisits their earlier argument, revealing that neither has changed much. Once again, they part ways, not exactly as friends but with a sense of mutual awareness.
Another Five Years Later – Rekindling a Friendship
Another five years pass. Both Harry and Sally have broken up with their partners. They reconnect by chance at a bookstore and, this time, decide to become friends. Their platonic bond grows as they share late-night phone calls, lunch outings, and endless discussions about relationships, loneliness, and love.
This portion of the film is the heart of the story—funny, bittersweet, and incredibly human. The friendship is genuine but laced with unspoken attraction.
The Night That Changes Everything
One evening, after Sally breaks down in tears over her ex-boyfriend’s engagement, Harry comforts her—and they end up sleeping together. The next morning, awkwardness replaces affection. Harry retreats emotionally, afraid of what their intimacy means, while Sally feels rejected. Their friendship collapses under the weight of confusion and hurt.
Confrontation and Realization
Months later, at their friends’ wedding (Jess and Marie, played by Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher), their tension resurfaces. Both realize how deeply the other’s absence affects them. Harry tries to apologize, but Sally refuses to forgive him, claiming he cannot just “show up” and fix everything with words.
Movie Ending
On New Year’s Eve, Harry wanders the streets of New York, reflecting on his mistakes. He finally rushes to the party where Sally is celebrating. Out of breath and desperate, he confesses:
“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
Sally initially resists, angry that he’s only saying this because he’s lonely. But when Harry starts listing all the little things he loves about her—how she orders food, how she gets cold when it’s 71 degrees, how she takes an hour to order a sandwich—Sally realizes he’s sincere. She bursts into tears, they kiss, and the crowd counts down to midnight.
In the epilogue, Harry and Sally appear as one of the elderly couples featured throughout the film, telling their story of marriage and timing—proving that love, in the end, finds its way.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, When Harry Met Sally… does not have any post-credits or mid-credits scenes. The story concludes with the epilogue interview, providing complete closure.
Type of Movie
Romantic Comedy / Drama – balancing humor, realism, and emotional sincerity.
Cast
- Billy Crystal as Harry Burns
- Meg Ryan as Sally Albright
- Carrie Fisher as Marie
- Bruno Kirby as Jess
Film Music and Composer
The soundtrack features classic standards performed by Harry Connick Jr., whose jazz-infused renditions lend timeless warmth to the film. The music perfectly complements the New York winter setting and emotional tone.
Notable tracks include:
- “It Had to Be You”
- “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”
- “But Not for Me”
Filming Locations
- New York City, USA – The film is a love letter to Manhattan. Iconic spots include:
- Katz’s Delicatessen – The location of the legendary “I’ll have what she’s having” scene.
- Washington Square Park – Their reflective strolls through the city.
- Central Park – The changing seasons mirror their evolving relationship.
New York isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the film’s emotional landscape—reflecting loneliness, connection, and serendipity.
Awards and Nominations
- Academy Award Nomination – Best Original Screenplay (Nora Ephron)
- Golden Globe Nominations – Best Actor (Billy Crystal), Best Actress (Meg Ryan), Best Motion Picture (Comedy/Musical)
- BAFTA Nomination – Best Original Screenplay
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Meg Ryan suggested the fake orgasm scene at Katz’s Deli, and Billy Crystal improvised the line “I’ll have what she’s having.”
- Rob Reiner’s own romantic experiences inspired the story. He met his wife shortly after the film wrapped—life imitating art.
- The elderly couples telling their stories were mostly based on real interviews conducted by Ephron and Reiner.
- The film was shot in chronological order, rare for romantic comedies, to capture the evolving chemistry naturally.
Inspirations and References
The film was inspired by Rob Reiner’s conversations with Nora Ephron about relationships and friendship. The realism of dialogue came from Reiner’s personal life and Ephron’s sharp observational humor.
It also draws from classic romantic comedies like Annie Hall (1977) and His Girl Friday (1940), both known for witty, fast-paced dialogue and nuanced relationships.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Originally, Harry and Sally were not supposed to end up together. Reiner believed their friendship should remain platonic. However, during filming, both he and Ephron changed their minds—deciding that audiences needed emotional closure and hope.
Deleted scenes include extended conversations and outtakes from the deli sequence, but none significantly alter the narrative.
Book Adaptations and Differences
There is no book adaptation; however, the screenplay itself became so popular that it’s often studied in screenwriting courses for its perfect romantic-comedy structure.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The fake orgasm scene at Katz’s Delicatessen – a masterclass in comic timing.
- The split-screen phone call where Harry and Sally watch Casablanca together.
- The New Year’s Eve confession – heartfelt, witty, and timeless.
Iconic Quotes
- “I’ll have what she’s having.”
- “Men and women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.”
- “It’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s New Year’s Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody…”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The deli sign behind Sally in Katz’s scene still marks her seat with a plaque today.
- Many of Harry’s cynical one-liners were improvised.
- The film uses seasonal transitions—fall, winter, spring—to mirror the emotional stages of their relationship.
Trivia
- Nora Ephron based Sally’s personality (especially her picky eating) on herself.
- Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner had been real-life best friends for years before making the film.
- The movie took nearly 12 years from concept to release.
- Meg Ryan was only 27 at the time of filming.
Why Watch?
When Harry Met Sally… is more than a romantic comedy—it’s a sincere study of human connection. The dialogue sparkles, the chemistry is electric, and the story feels as relevant today as it did in 1989. It’s smart, funny, and honest about love’s messy, unpredictable nature.
Director’s Other Movies
- Stand by Me (1986)
- A Few Good Men (1992)
- Misery (1990)
- The American President (1995)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Annie Hall (1977)
- Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
- You’ve Got Mail (1998)
- Notting Hill (1999)
- 500 Days of Summer (2009)
